Dr. Marty Becker
When I bought Harper as a puppy 15 years ago, pet health insurance options were fewer than they are now, and often didn’t cover problems common to inattentive King Charles Spaniels, such as heart disease. I did. I decided not to purchase it, considering that any heart problems that occurred would not be covered and cancer was not common in that breed.
That’s generally true, but cancer is common in older dogs of any breed, and Harper was diagnosed with cancer when he was about 13 years old. Veterinary treatment for cancer has improved significantly since having a dog of 1, and costs have increased accordingly. You could have saved a thousand dollars.
I decided the following dogs would be covered no matter what. However, Sparkles says she’s 10 years old, so her premiums are going to be high, even though she’s generally healthy. But it’s still a good idea. Consider the following when choosing insurance for your elderly pet:
Which animals are considered elderly? The American Animal Hospital Association has created guidelines that define different life stages, from puppies and kittens to adults, seniors, and geriatrics. You may identify life stages and general conditions at each life stage.
Breed or size can play a role. For example, a large dog such as a Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound may be considered senior when he is 7 years old, while a toy dog with a much longer lifespan such as a Chihuahua may be considered senior until he is 10 years old. not considered. 12 years old. The American Feline Practitioners Association considers 11-14 years old as a senior cat and 15-25 years as a senior cat.
Age restrictions vary by company. For example, Nationwide will insure a pet any time before her 10th birthday, but Embrace says pets registered after their 15th birthday are covered by an accident-only policy that doesn’t cover illness. It is said that it will be
See more benefits. Some companies have veterinary helplines or veterinary helplines that answer simple questions and help determine if your pet can wait for a regular veterinary appointment or if they need to go to the emergency room. Teletriage offers her call.
Ask questions such as whether the deductible will decrease each year if there are no accident or illness claims. If your pet has been asymptomatic or untreated for over a year, whether or not pre-existing conditions that can be cured are covered; and whether your plan offers significant discounts on medications.
“Older pets are more susceptible to health conditions, chronic diseases and cancer as they age, so ensuring access to affordable medicines should be kept in mind,” said Nationwide veterinarians. said Emily Tincher, Senior Director of Relationships.
Conditions to expect to see in older pets are hyperthyroidism and heart disease in cats, and kidney disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, and cancer in dogs and cats. While some of these are chronic conditions that can be managed, Tincher says they can become quite costly over time.
Use pet health insurance review websites such as petinsurancereview.com and pawlicy.com to compare policies. Enter your pet’s type, age, breed, and other required information, and we’ll suggest several plans to consider.
Then visit the company’s website or phone to dig in and see exactly what’s covered. For example, there may be discounts for covering multiple pets. Companies such as Nationwide, which also offers home and car insurance, may offer discounts if you already have an insurance policy. Your company may offer pet health insurance as a benefit. Compare deduction levels and benefit schedules. Your veterinarian may be able to advise you based on their knowledge of your pet’s health and lifestyle.
— Kim Campbell Thornton
Have a pet question? Send to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker. Pet Connection is produced by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, journalist Kim Campbell Thornton, and Dog his trainer/behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. ©2023 Andrews McMille Syndication
